Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-08-04
providers at a distance and prove a

! providers at a distance and prove q
good watchdog.
Eolnizki assentcd to his wife's sug-
gestiop.
So a chain was put round the dog
neck. who was by no means surprised
at the ordeal. for he had been used to
the thing from puppyhood.
Every evening as ssaa e :isc stars
came out bright in the day. the young
housewife let the dog loose in the yard.
Thereupon. the faithful beast would
shake himself. sniff the air with APP
parent pleasure and commence his
round of inspection.
On one occasion, however the dog
was missed. But he did not go far.
since he came back the next day, and
was found quietly installed in his ken
mel, as if he had never left it.
| v.
One Sabbath afternoon, after YES
pers, an old man entered the peasant 3
courtyard. He was over eighty years
! of age. His stiff bearing, bronzed
complexion and manly aspect at once
revealed the military veteran. An
open countenance set of to advantage
the spare. silvery locks; two light blue
eyes gave grave and goodly express
sion to his face; while lis white NOUS
tache grew down over his mouth to
his chin. He wore boots that reached
to his knees. long overcOat in dark
blue cloth. white necktie and a gray
hat. In his haad, for show rather
than use. he held a stick with shining
knob. on his breast shone the cross of
the Legion of Honor strung to an old
piece of faded red ribbon, which still
bore black stains due to the gunpow-
der at Waterloo.
The old soldier was received with
tokens of kindness and reverence; he
was shown into the large room which
that day offered an unusually solemn
aspect with its washed and sanded
floor. Some flowers in an earthen-
ware pot on the window-sill diffused
their sweetness over the place, and the
sun shone sweetly through the little
sparkling glass panea
The two men sat down before the
large deal-tablc; and when the young
woman had brought brandy, bread
and salt, cheese and sausage, they be-
gan to speak about the war. Volnizki
recounted the events at Spichern.
Saint-Privat and Buzenval, while the
old man spoke of Lutzen. Dresden and
Leipsic, Ligny and Quatre-Bras. Every
time France and the Emperor's name
were mentioned the old man raised his
hat Meanwhile the children played
in the yard, and-that the holiday
should lie general one-the dog was
lot loose from his kennel
Presently the animal appeared on
the threshold. looked up inquisitively
at the aged man, drew near to and
scented him.
"What sort of dog is that?" in
quired the old soldier; "he is not from
these parts.
II brought him back with me from
France" replied Volnizki
"From France?"
"He's bad animal" said the young
woman.
"And disobedient," said the little
boy.
Il tried to teach him a few tricks"
added Volnizki, ''but all to no purpose;
he understands nothing, absolutely
nothing"
The old man laughed.
IN; friends" said he ''the reason
is obvious. The poor brute doesn't un-
derstand your tongue"
well, now. that beats every thingm
exclaimed Volnizki.
"Why, of course; what confidence
can he have in people whose tongue is
foreign to him?" continued the old
veteran of Napoleon. "How shall he
obey, when he can NOT understand the
order that is given?"
THAT" said Tolnizki. sis thing l
never thought of. And" he added,
las don't know French there is no
help for it,
"Wait Bit" said the old man, as
he turned toward the animal, whose
eyes were attentively fixed on his own.
He began to speak to the dog in good
French vernacular: ''YOu don't under
stand word they have to say. do you.
my friend? On that account they call
you wicked dog; but You are brave
brute. know; and will be most obedi-
ent when spoken to in our own decent
language. won't you?"
The dog pricked up his ears. beat the
floor with his tail. and his whole frame
thrilled with conscious pleasure at the
sound of the old mans voice. Sud-
denly, as if unable to withstand SO di-
rect an appeal, the dog whined.
bounced forward and leaped up to
the old mans neck. barking with all
his might.
See, whether l am not right" ex-
claimed the veteran warrior; whether